Guy Smith was re-elected President of the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees for his third term this morning at AUPE’s annual Convention in Edmonton.

“Together we will make sure we continue to move forward, grow stronger, and take on the issues we need to,” Smith told the nearly 1,100 delegates, life members and observers at the Shaw Conference Centre following the election.

Speaking later, Smith added: “Services Albertans count on every day – from post-secondary education to seniors care and beyond – are systematically being dismantled by the Redford government. It is an attack, the likes of which we haven’t seen in years. We will be there to stand up for Albertans and hold the government to its promises.”

Former Vice-President Jason Heistad was elected as the new Executive Secretary-Treasurer.

Five of the six incumbent Vice-Presidents were re-elected. They are: Glen Scott, Erez Raz, Karen Weiers, Susan Slade and Carrie-Lynn Rusznak.

Joining them is Mike Dempsey, a long-time AUPE member and forest ranger with Alberta Sustainable Resource Development.

Smith will be available to speak to media at 12 noon at the Shaw Conference Centre.

More than 820 delegates were eligible to vote in the election. Each delegate is chosen by their Local membership to represent them at the Convention.

The new Executive Committee will serve a two-year term.

AUPE is Alberta’s largest union, with nearly 83,000 members who work in the public, not-for-profit and private sectors.